Several
years ago, 1190AM's staff noticed that a lot of children
were struggling in school simply because they could not
see the blackboard or hear their teacher. Their parents
could not afford to buy them eyeglasses or hearing aids
and the kids were just left to struggle. Believing that
something could be done to give these children a fair chance
to succeed, KEX came up with the KEX Kids Fund.
Through
an annual on-air fundraiser, they have raised enough money each
year to help thousands of kids receive eyeglasses and/or
hearing aids. The Program is available in the entire
KEX listening area: Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Hood
River, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, Tillamook,
and Yamhill counties in Oregon and Clark, Cowlitz and
Skamania counties in Washington. The Oregon Lions got
involved because we are dedicated to giving the gift
of sight. We have a dedicated staff member to oversee
the operations of the program.
A
designated contact person at public schools, alternative
schools and Headstart programs can refer children to the
KEX Kids Fund. Children should show signs of poor vision
or hearing (as indicated through school screening or behavior
in class) and they should be financially needy and without
possible resources for vision or hearing care.
For Vision:
The contact person will fill out a current voucher form
on behalf of the child and send it to the Oregon Lions
Sight & Hearing Foundation
for review. If child is eligible, the voucher is approved,
assigned a number, signed and stamped and then sent back
to the school with instructions on how to make an appointment
with a KEX Kids Fund provider. The child brings the
voucher to his or her appointment and is provided with
an eye exam and eyeglasses at no cost. Click
here to contact the Foundation for more application
information.
For a PDF dowloadable copy of the KEX Kids Fund Guidelines and Policy Manual, click here. |
